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POEMS OF YOUTH 



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rUBRAvY CONCRfSS 

Uuu;;:s '' -oftt'-ed 

ocv 80 1907 


Copyright E^Uv 



COPYRIGHT 1907 BY 
JOHN STOCKER MILLER, JR. 



. » « 


THE CONTENTS OF THIS LITTLE 
BOOK 


MISCELLANEOUS POEMS 

Prelude 13 

To THE Saranac River . . . . 15 

To Lucy 19 

A Dream 20 

Lite 22 

Evening 23 

Faith 25 

Love 31 

God and I .34 

My Girl 36 

Communion with Nature . . . .37 

To THE Moon 38 

God is Nigh 41 

Two Thoughts 42 

On My Eighteenth Birthday . . .44 

A Hymn 45 

Not Mine the Strength . . . .47 

Stars of Hope 48 

Lilies 49 

Rest 50 

Alpha and Omega 52 

Stars of Joy 53 


A Hymn 54 

Little Guides 55 

In Silvis Iaceam 56 

TRANSLATIONS 

Life (From the Greek) 59 

Night (From the Latin) .... 60 

Freedom from Anxiety (From the Greek) 61 
Ei<; To Jetv //(Vsfi/ (From the Greek) . . 62 

Even-song (From the German) . . .63 

Anacreon on Himself (From the Greek) . 64 
The Mark of Lovers (From the Greek) . 65 

The Erl-king (From the German) . 66 

The Parting of Hector and Andro- 
mache (From the Greek) . . . .69 



O ISANET 


MY SISTER 



P 




PRELUDE 


THE golden lark is singing 
In the crimson of the west, 
^And each hill and dale is ringing 
With the song of joy and rest. 



So when all the woodlands ring, 
Come, my soul, O come and sing! 


Tune thy golden strings to those 
That so softly from the sky. 
In the violet even’s close. 

Waft their gentle melody. 

Let thy song of joy outswell 
Over brook and hill and lea. 
Till each far-secluded dell 
Echo to thy melody. 


Let thy song’s wild burden be 
One of love and joy and peace, — 
Of a joy that ne’er shall flee. 

Of a love that ne’er shall cease. 


Up each valley and each dale 
Pipe this song of peace and love. 
Till the dying even pale. 

And the night is queen above. 

13 



Poems of Youth 


For my spirit is in tune 
With the harp-strings of the air, 
Harping in wild unison 

With the unseen harpers there, 

And the melody that swells 
On the silent air of even. 

Over hills and over dells. 

Has upborne my soul to heaven. 

So when all the woodlands ring. 
Come, my soul, O come and sing! 


14 


MISCELLANEOVS POEMS 



Poems of Youth 


TO THE SARANAC RIVER 

LITTLE river, that dost flow 
So swift in part, in part so slow, 
Above so wild, so calm below, 

How joyously thy waters go! 

I love thee, little river, love 
The very trees that bend above; 

I love thee, love the very stones 
O’er which thy stream now laughs, now 
moans ! 

I love each httle wave, each bend. 

Each eddy where thy waters blend! 

I love to walk upon thy shore 

And dream of days that are no more, — 

Of days that sped as happily 
As thy swift waters, dancing by. 

And, like those waters, darting on. 

Have pass’d and are forever gone; — 

Of days so full of youthful dreams. 

Of wild fantastic, boyhood themes! 

O happy, happy days when life 
Was all so young, and joy so rife! 

O wild, unbounded boyhood dreams. 

As chainless as the mountain streams. 




'5 



Poems of Youth 


And in their high, fantastic play, 

As wild and turbulent as they. 

Now, as once more, O little stream, 

I stroll along thy shore, I seem 
To see these days, as in a dream. 

Each rock that in my walk I see, — 

Each shady nook, each waving tree, — 
Wakes some forgotten memory. 

And in some way I cannot ken, 

I seem to be a boy again. 

In youthful days, how oft I strolled 
And watched thy waters as they rolled! 
Here on this bridge of rustic wood 
Which spans thy stream, how oft I stood, 
To watch thy joyous waters dart. 

Until their gladness filled my heart! 

How oft in yonder shady nook 
I lay beside thy rushing brook. 

Alone with thee and with a book; 

Or watched the sunset shadows creep 
Up yonder mountain’s wooded steep. 

As Even with her flowers of light 
Bestrewed the path of bridal Night. 

How oft, O little stream, I strayed 
Along this woodland path, or played 
Beneath this bowlder’s welcome shade! 
And there from sun’s o’erpow’ring heat 
Amid yon birches found retreat, 

i6 


Poems of Youth 


Where those spring waters clear, which dart 
From yonder hillside’s stony heart, 
Refreshing coolness did impart. 

And oh, the mill! the busy mill! 

Which stood so long beneath the hill 
That Nature, by some magic art. 

Of her own self hath made it part 1 
How often as a boy I strolled 
Around those walls so gray and old 1 

And there, beneath the wooded hill 
Where thy wild waves at last are still. 

How oft I paddled in my boat 

To float and dream and dream and float! 

And there, ah, I remember well. 

How, wrapt in thine enchanting spell, 

I lay upon that rock, to dream 
That angels hovered o’er thy stream. 

No longer heard I at my back 
The waters of the Saranac, 

But lo! I see thee in my dream 
Transfigured to a wondrous stream. 

And in my youthful fancy’s eye 
I see Life’s river gliding by! 

Like thine those waters now are rough. 

And now are smooth and calm enough; — 
Above, the turbulence of youth. 

Below, the gliding calm of truth, 

17 


Poems of Youth 


A DREAM 

HAD a dream the other night. 

I dreamt I saw a child in white, 

Her arms outstretched to me; 
And on her forehead was a sign, 

Surrounded by a light divine, — 

The sign of purity. 

I dreamt she stoop’d and touched my brow. 
Inflamed with passion’s flush but now. 

And lo! ’t was calm and fair! 

I dreamt she kissed me as I lay. 

And by that kiss she drove away 
The clouds that linger’d there. 

It was a fickle dream, I know. 

Yet wheresoe’er in life I go. 

Be hfe or dark or bright. 

Before me in my mind there stands 
A httle child with outstretched hands. 

All clad in spotless white. 

And when temptation threatens me. 

E’er by my side this child I see. 

Her hand outstretched to save; 

And ever, while Life’s waters roar. 

This little child stands on the shore 
To guide me o’er each wave. 



20 



Poems of Youth 


And if, as o’er Life’s sea I sail, 

I (Oh, may God forbid it!) fail. 

This dream shall give me might; 

Or if I win, by aid divine. 

This e’er shall be my conquering sign, — 
A little child in white. 


21 


Poems of Youth 


LIFE 



E all have missions in this life. The 
hand 

Which placed us here did so with 
ear intent. 

No soul is there so dark but it was sent 
To bring some love or for some truth to stand. 
My life may sail the seas, thine ’bide on land; 
For some the laurels of bright fame are 


meant, 

While some must live in social banish- 
ment; — 

Yet by each one the coals of love are fanned. 

Despise not, therefore, them who perchance 
fall. 

For, weak or strong, each hath a lofty 
goal 

Which he can gain, and each can scale Fate’s 
wall. 

Thus Life’s a great mosaic, each human 
soul 

The colored earthen stone, some great, some 
small. 

Yet each imparting beauty to the whole. 


22 


Poems of Youth 


EVENING 



P yonder wooded steep 
They creep, 

The twilight shadows deep. 

And Even, 

The flower-girl fair. 

On wings of air. 

Comes down from heaven. 

Smiling bright. 

And casts her basket’s fill 
O’er vale and hill, — 

Her purple flowers 
Of light. 


That in the hours 
Of even 
Tint heaven 

And earth, with roses given 
To bridal Night. 


The bloody western sim. 
His labor done. 
Sinks to sweet rest 
Into the west; 

Still paler, paler still. 
O’er yonder hill. 
The crimson flushes rise 
Into the skies; 

23 




Poems of Youth 


And o’er the pines 
Fair Venus shines, 

The messenger of Night. 

The night-bird leaves 
Her downy-coated nest, and cleaves 
On wings of wild delight. 

The sable air of night. 

The owl makes hoarse complaint. 
With hooting faint; 

The lone crane wings his flight. 
And shrieks 

His welcome to the falling Night. 
The streaks 

From hill, and wooded glade 
Grow faint and fade. 

And all is still, — 

All silent, hill 

And dale. Hush! Swift the light 
Is gone, and Night, 

On wings unseen. 

Is Queen. 


24 


Poems of Youth 


FAITH 

This is the victory that overcometh the world, even 
our faith . — i John v, 4. 



HE man whose faith is in Almighty 
God, 

I Who in the solemn notes of Lifers 
sweet harp 

Hears strains of heavenly music, full of 
peace, — 

A glorious promise of the life to come, — 
May walk amidst the world’s dark paths of 
sin 

And fear no evil, for the heavenly hand 
In which he puts his trust will ever guide 
His steps, and keep him free from harm. 

As Daniel in the den of lions walked 
And ne’er forgot the guiding hand of God, 
And came out whole, — just so shall he whose 
trust 

Is in his Maker pass amidst the strife 
And turmoil of the world and be not hurt. 
Have faith! Fear not! Then shalt thou live 
in peace. 

And learn that heaven’s firm foundations 
rest. 

Not far away, upon some distant shore. 

On beds of pearl and hills of precious stone, 
25 



Poems of Youth 


But in the hidden comers of the soul. 

For when a man extends his love to God, 
And lays his little hand in God’s great palm, 
And whispers gently to his mighty Guide, 
“Lead on, dear Lord, and I will follow 
Thee,” 

Then Love and Faith, with never-ceasing 
toil. 

Form of this heart a holy shrine of God; — 
Then shines the light of heaven freely down. 
Shut out no more by clouds of base dis- 
trust. 

’T is not the part of Man to know what God 
Doth shroud in deepest secrecy within 
Those lowering clouds which hang above his 
fate. 

As rushes on the mountain torrent’s stream. 
And battles ’gainst each towering rock be- 
fore. 

Till, mountain ridges past, it joins with glee 
Some calmly flowing river and glides on. 

In sweet and happy freedom to the sea, — 
Just so shall Man, his mission here fulfilled. 
His struggles o’er ’gainst Fortune’s towering 
rocks. 

Join with a happy cry the Stream of Peace, 
And glide in triumph onward till the day 
When he shall see his lofty task performed. 

26 


Poems of Youth 


So long thou not, O curious soul, to view 
Those hidden sights which God hath wrapt 
in gloom. 

Have faith! Enough for thee to know that 
God 

Hath made thee an immortal thing, — to live. 
To see, to learn, at some not distant day. 
Those secrets which eternity surround. 

Fear not, but trust the Master, who in love 
Doth lead thee gently on through mist and 
gloom. 

And He shall soon remove th’ inshrouding 
vail. 

Ah, what a noble thing it is to trust! 

O Faith, how sweet, how heavenly art thou! 
How kind, how good, how gentle is the soul 
In which faith dwells ! How like God’s heart, 
the heart 

That alway walks amidst the gloom and 
mist. 

Which e’er surrounds its steps, in perfect 
faith, — 

That faith which enters into hearts and fills 
With benediction souls which once were 
dark 

And ne’er illumined by the light of love; — 
That faith which opes the blessed springs of 
peace. 


27 


Poems of Youth 


And causes all the waters of Love’s fount 
To burst the prison of the heart and pour 
In soothing currents o’er the aching soul ! 

O gentle, sweet and blessed Faith, descend 
And cast thy shielding wings above our 
heads. 

And guide us ever in the mist and shade! 

O teach that we immortal beings are. 

And that a mighty hand, invisible. 

Yet ever present, leads us gently on 
To glories which no mortal thoughts can 
frame 1 

O weary one, for whom life is but death. 
Hark! Listen to the strains of Life’s sweet 
song! 

Canst thou not hear a note of hope and cheer. 
From heaven’s harps about the throne of 
God? 

List! Hear’st thou not those distant strains, 
that fall 

So gently, ah so gently, on the ear ? 

Amidst the din of life’s fierce fight they come. 
So soft, so sweet, and fill the heart with 
peace. 

How sweet the hymn that human fate doth 
chant ! 

Hark, weary heart ! canst thou not hear those 
strains ? 


28 


Poems of Youth 


Dost thou not see in life’s sad route a road 

Which leads through sorrow to that land of 
bliss ? 

Ah, faithless soul, when life with grief sur- 
rounds 

Thy resting-place, and mourning shrouds 
thy toil. 

Have faith! Fear not! For thou ’rt the child 
of love! 

Forget not that a heavenly hand doth 
guide 

The steps of all whose trust is in their God! 

Live e’er in faith! Walk not through life in 
gloom. 

Distrusting all and fearing everything. 

Live not as some rebellious convicts live. 

Who struggle e’er to burst their prison bars, 

But live as lives a little child, who grasps 

His parent’s hand, and walks, with open eyes 

Yet fearing naught. So live, and thou shalt 
view 

The seeds of peace spring upward in thy 
soul. 

And bloom in great luxuriance, to bear 

Fruit sweet and grateful to thy longing 
heart. 

Loud may the world’s wild tempests rave 
about. 


29 


Poems of Youth 


But thou shalt walk unharmed in their 
midst. 

Oft may the tempter set his traps in vain, 

And seek to do thee harm but harm thee not, 

For God will send His holy angels down 

To guard and keep thee from the paths of 
grief. 

Oft may the tempter seek, through Death’s 
dark clutch. 

To grasp thee in his dreadful power, but no! 

When Death doth bear thee gently on her 
wings. 

She’ll bear thee straight to God, whose 
vassal she’s. 

Then in the fields of blest Elysium, 

Before the throne of God thou ’It stand, and 
hear 

Those words, so sweet to every soul, ‘‘Well 
done. 

Thou good and faithful child! For thou 
didst trust. 

And faith hath saved thee! Come; now 
dwell in peace!” 


30 


Poems of Youth 


LOVE 

HOLY passion! Love divine! 

That mak’st this earthy heart of mine 
With all the chords of Life’s sweet 
tune, 

To throb and beat in unison! 

O holy passion! that alone 
Canst raise this heart from dust and stone, 
And all the joys that angels feel 
To mortal spirit dost reveal! 

To thee I bow. Thou art my Lord ! 

In thee I view that primal Word 
That out of chaos didst command 
The universe in form to stand. 

In thee I see that awful word 
By kings and prophets meekly heard, — 

The Word that on Mount Sinai’s height 
Gave the inspired prophet light. 

In thee I view that greater love 
That scorned divine abode above. 

To seek a virgin’s womb, that men 
Their Lord and King might better ken. 

In thee I view the tragedy. 

The grief of dark Gethsemane, 

31 




Poems of Touth 


In thee the curse, the bitter scorn, 

The awful cross, the crown of thorn. 

All this I view — Gethsemane 
And cross-encrown^d Calvary — 

But higher, nobler, grander still, 

I view in thee my Maker’s will. 

I view in thee the mystic power 
Of mighty sea and tiny flower. 

I see the world and Nature’s law 
Bend to thy will in humble awe. 

I see the word that bids the sun 
His daily course to duly run, — 

That bids the moon to shine at night. 

The stars to give their lesser light. 

All Nature’s laws no pity know, — 

The sun must shine, the tree must grow, 
The fittest must survive the fray. 

The weakest sink and die away; — 

And yet behind all this I see 
A mark of Heaven’s clemency, — 

Behind the bitter war of life 
A loving hand command the strife. 

And more than this, — through thee I feel 
The light of heaven o’er me steal. 

32 


Poems of Youth 


Thy magic hand sets soul in tune 
With earth and sky and sun and moon. 

Life is a sweeter thing, and all 
Its beauties o’er my spirit fall. 

The earth, the sky, and all they hold. 
Seem wrapt in a diviner fold. 

I find the sea and mountain-side 
By thy sweet beauty glorified. 

And, wrapt in love, I seem to be 
At one with them and God and thee. 

And so, O Passion most divine, 

I lay my weaker hand in thine. 

Content to follow thee, who now. 

As long ago true light dost show; 

And like those love-led saints of yore. 
Let me resign all earthly gtore. 

And seek the higher way above 
Through undefiled, unending love! 


33 


Poems of Tout h 


GOD AND I 

FT amidst the dew-kissed heather, 
’Neath the even-tinted sky, 

We have strolled in love together, 
God and I, God and I, — 

Strolled in gentle love together, 

God and I. 

Though the flesh my eyes doth tether, 

Still I feel that he is nigh, — 

Still I know we walk together, — 

God and I, God and I, — 

Yes, I know we walk together, 

God and I. 

For I feel an inspiration 
In His open air and wood, 

Till I cry in adoration, 

God is good ! God is good ! ” — 

Cry in solemn adoration, 

“God is good!” 

Till I feel, in sweet communion 
With His earth and boundless sky, — 
Till to Him in mystic union 
I draw nigh, I draw nigh, — 

In a sweet and mystic union, 

I draw nigh. 

34 







Poems of Youth 


Then it is amidst the heather, 
’Neath the even- tinted sky, 
That we stroll in love together, 
God and I, God and I, — 
Stroll in gentle love together, 
God and I. 


35 


Poems of Touth 


MY GIRL 


AM in love. I have a girl, 

I And not for golden lock or curl, 
IjAnd not for winning maiden guile. 
Nor yet for beaming laugh or smile, 

I love her. 



I love her for her love for me. 

For which my love shall endless be; 
Ne’er shall the world’s wild waters maim 
This love’s enduring, lasting flame. 

Nor smother. 


The world contains no other such. 
No girl I love e’en half so much. 

She is the girl of girls for me. 

And in her place there ne’er shall be 
Another. 


You ask her name? You ’ll never say 
That I e’er gave the truth away ? 

You cross your heart you ’ll ne’er tell this? 
Well, then, this girl of mine is — is — 

My mother. 


36 




Poems of Touth 


COMMUNION WITH NATURE 

HEN mountain air breathes soft o’er 
th’ even dew, 

: And all the wooded steeps are violet 
dyed — 

When o’er the hills and verdant valleys 
ride 

The even’s tints of ever- varied hue, 

Bright purple nigh, afar the hazy blue — 
Oh! how I love with Nature to abide. 
And bid good-bye to Life’s each care and 
pride. 

To seek calm peace, O wood and stream, 
with you! 

Oh! how I love to stroll and dream — to 
dream 

Such dreams as God and Nature can 
inspire — 

Till all my soul, on Fancy’s wing doth seem 
To soar above this earth, to steal the fire 

From heaven’s throne, or pluck some lofty 
theme 

From heavenly harper harping on his lyre. 



37 



Poems of Youth 


TO THE MOON 



UEEN of heaven! Orb of Love 
Gliding through the sky above 
Like a happy, soaring dove! 


Looking down, in calm dehght. 
Through the silence of the night. 
On the wild world’s bitter fight! 


Canst thou not, through all the woe 
Of this bitter world below. 

See the stream of heaven flow ? 


Canst thou not behold in life 
Something more than war and strife, — 
Hear the harp join with the fife ? 

Seest thou in the fate of Man 
Sparks divine, our eyes ne’er can ? — 
Canst thou not those embers fan ? 

Through the sorrow and the pain 
E’er pursuing in our train, 

Is not heaven’s threshold plain ? 

O thou orb, serene, benign. 

Ever on our troubles shine! 

Teach us of our fate divine! 

38 


Poems of Youth 


Thou whose calm and tranquil face 
E’er beholds this bitter race, 

Thou dost know of Heaven’s grace! 

Teach us, then, O heavenly dove. 
That our mission is of love, — 

That we’re guided from above! — 

That a strong and mighty guide. 

In whom love and grace abide. 

Ever lingers at our side! 

Teach us, too, that human fate 
Bodes of more than war and hate, — 
Leads direct to Mercy’s gate! 

Teach us that a flame divine 
Bums upon the holy shrine 
Of Man’s fate, — a heavenly sign! 

Drive away the clouds of hate; 
Teach us that a lofty fate 
All God’s warriors doth await! 

Teach us that alone through pain 
We that promised crown may gain. 
Even as sunshine follows rain! — 

That from all the woes we see. 

We shall stronger, nobler be. 

When those clouds of war shall flee! 


39 


Poems of Touth 


Teach us that each task well done 
Is another race well run, 

Is another vict’ry won! — 

That to bravely suffer here 

Is a monument to rear 

Out of strife and care and tear! 

Then, O Queen of tenderness. 

In the time of our distress. 

We thy shining face will bless; 

And when Night, on sable wing. 
Shall her shadows o’er us fling. 
Rising moon, to thee we ’ll sing! 


40 


Poems of Youth 


GOD IS NIGH 

HEN the day is nearly over, 
And the evening gilds the sky 
When the dew is on the clover, 
God is nigh. 

When the day is slowly dying. 

And the hills in stillness lie. 

Then the soft night-wind is sighing, 
“God is nigh.’^ 

Thus, when dear ones’ lives are taken. 
Called by Jesus to the sky. 

We do not remain forsaken, — 

God is nigh. 



41 


Poems of Youth 


TWO THOUGHTS 

H, I have lived in vain! I thought, 
And to my soul, with sadness fraught 
These words a two-fold sadness 
brought. 

Then came a little child to me. 

And, smiling, sat upon my knee. 

The happy child 

Upon my shoulder then did place 
Her little head, with young blood warm; 
Around my neck she put her arm. 

And, looking up into my face. 

She smiled. 

O blessed innocence! I thought, 

O happy smile, by heaven taught! 

O little face. 

On which no bloody battle wound. 

No mark of Life’s wild raging war. 

No stain of fray, no sin-dealt scar. 

No mark of sin, hath ever found 
A place! 

If all my former boyhood life. 

If all its peace, and all its strife. 

Its joy and pain, — 

The cares and joys that life doth give, — 

42 




Poems of Youth 


Mean nothing more than this, that thou, 
A little child, shouldst trust me now. 

And come to me, I do not live 
In vain! 

And from my heart I gladly cast 
The sad thought of a moment past. 

Ne’er to retimi, while such thoughts last. 


43 


Poems of Youth 


ON MY EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY 


have fled. 


IGHTEEN long years 
Shall eighteen more 
By grace of heaven behold my spirit 
strong ? 

When eighteen more such years have 
rolled along, 

Shall I be ling’ring still upon this shore ? 

Or, wrapt in endless sleep forevermore. 

By Stygian stream, to damned sloth be- 
long? 

Or on that brighter shore, shall I by song 

Gain passage through St. Peter’s angel door? 

Forbid it. Sisters Three! I do not care 
How long the silken thread of life may be; 

I care not where ’t is drawn, or when or 
where 

’Tis woven or cut; what matter should 
this be ? 

But O ye Fates! where’er your bidding bear. 
Damn idle sloth and leave my work to me! 


44 



Poems of Youth 


A HYMN 

I ^’pJlHOU art with me, mighty Jesus, 
m ^ In the wild world’s bitter fight, 
™ JK 11 Thou ’rt my Leader, Guide, and 
Helper, 

Thou ’rt my Power, my Strength, my 
Might. 

In Life’s tumult. Lord, I hear Thee 
Saying, “Fear not, I am nigh,” 

And earth’s battles lose their terror. 

When I see Thee standing by! 

Loud Life’s waters rage about me. 

But above their fearful roar. 

Lord, Thou callest, and I see Thee 
Standing, beck’ning, on the shore. 

And again I struggle onward 

With new power, new strength, new 
might, 

For I know that Thou dost lead me 
Through the fearful storm and night. 

Nor shall Life’s wild waves o’ercome me 
If Thou standest at my side. 

E’er my fainting heart to strengthen, 

E’er my straying steps to guide! 

45 


Poems of Youth 


Lead me, then, Thou tender Master, 
To the shores beyond the sea. 

For my heart is weak and failing. 

And I have no strength but Thee! 


46 


Poems of Youth 


NOT MINE THE STRENGTH 



OT mine the strength, O God! Not 
mine the power 

That moves these feeble hands 1 Not 
mine the praise, 

If e’er their toils, in vict’ry’s crowning hour. 
Some petty tower of bright achievement 
raise 1 


Not mine the courage. Lord, that can sustain 
This falt’ring heart in failure’s hour of 
woe! 

Not mine the might that can temptation 
rein. 

Or check the tide of passion’s awful flow! 

Not mine, but thine, O God, the strength 
and might! 

I but the tool which doth thy hand obey! 

Mine but a spark of faint, reflected light 
Of thine the brighter, far more splendid 
day! 


47 



Poems of Youth 


STARS OF HOPE 

AVE you ever noticed, 

As you watched a star, 
That, as you watch that one, 
Other stars afar. 

Which before you saw not. 

Clearly vis’ble are ? 

So it is in Life’s sky; — 

First learn how to see 
All those stars of hope, that 
Shine most brilliantly; 

Then bright stars innum’rous 
Shall appear to thee. 



48 


Poems of Youth 


LILIES 


ENTLY, oh so gently, 
Like the breath of even, 
Calmly, oh so calmly. 
She hath gone to heaven. 



As at even the lilies 
Their white petals close. 
Softly, oh so softly. 

Sink to sweet repose; 


So this whiter lily. 

This pure bud of ours. 
Gently, oh so gently. 

Sank an^ong the flowers. 

But, though sad and lonely. 
We have not lost hope. 
For at mom the lilies 
Shall their petals ope; 


And we know our lily. 

In the morning light 
Shall appear more lovely. 
More divinely white. 


49 


Poems of Youth 


REST 

HEN the sun is slowly setting 
In the west, 

And the day is softly sinking 
Into rest; 

Then it is I feel that heaven 
Nearer to my soul is given, 

And the thought to words is driven, 
“God be blest!” 

As the shades of night are falling 
Softly down. 

And the even tints the heavens 
Golden brown. 

Then I love to walk alone. 

And where human cries ne’er come. 
Nor the bustling city’s hum. 

Sit me down, — 

There to watch the sombre shadows 
Of the night 

Darken o’er the fields and meadows 
In my sight; — 

There to feel the night- wind blowing. 
There to hear the cattle lowing. 
Whilst the stars are swiftly growing 
Clear and bright. 

50 




Poems of Touth 


Ah, thou child with Life’s dark sorrows 
Sore opprest, — 

Struggling on through doubt and myst’ry 
Seeking rest, — 

Go and breathe the air of even 

’Neath the canopy of heaven. 

And receive God’s succor, given 
At request. 

Oh, to watch the sunset’s glory 
In the west. 

Far away from Life’s dark struggles. 

As a guest 

In God’s open air to ponder 

O’er Life’s myst’ries, or to wander 

With thy Maker, wrapt in wonder, — 
This is rest! 


SI 


Poems of T outh 


ALPHA AND OMEGA 

UST to dust, 

Clay to clay, 
Whence it springs. 
Dies away, — 

But the spirit, — 

Ah, who knows 
Whence it comes or 
Whither goes ? 



52 




Poems of Youth 


STARS OF JOY 

RAPT in thought, one starlit even, 
I gazed blankly up to heaven, 

So engrossed 
That all the host 
Of bright stars to me vrere lost. 

As I gazed thus, blankly staring, 

Lo! a tiny meteor, flaring. 

Flashed out bright 
Upon my sight. 

And then vanished in the night. 

Yes! And so shine in Life’s heaven 
Stars of joy which God has given; 

And hke me. 

How often we 

Do not see them till they flee! 



S3 



Poems of Youth 


A HYMN 


ENTLY, gently, Father, 
Lead me as I go. 

For the way is stony, 
And my steps are slow. 



As a child walks onward 
In the danger hour. 
Clasping close its parent. 
Trusting in his power. 

Even so, O Father, 

Let me onward move. 
Clasping close Thy mercy. 
Trusting in Thy love. 


Let my heart beat lighter. 
As I upward climb. 

To the strains of heaven 
Ever keeping time. 


Then the towering mountains 
Shall as hills appear. 

As to Faith’s high summit 
I draw ever near. 


Gently, then, O Father, 
Lead me as I go. 

For the way is stony. 

And my steps are slow. 

54 



Poems of Youth 


LITTLE GUIDES 

"ra SEE him now. Poor, wretched, 
^ blind. 

An outcast from all human-kind. 
He passes by. 

To him is lost the sunshine’s beam. 

To him all Nature is a dream, — 

The waving tree, the winding stream, 

A fantasy. 

A little child, with beaming face. 

Leads on, in Life’s bewild’ring maze. 

His leader true. 

With gentle care she guides the way. 
With rippling laugh and happy play. 

She tells him of that brighter day. 

He never knew. 

O shallow words! And yet, in Life, 

By little guides led through the strife. 
How oft we stand ! 

How oft, like him, with blinded eyes. 
That cannot see Life’s brighter skies, 

We follow through its mysteries 
A little hand! 



55 



Poems of Youth 


IN SILVIS lACEAM 



EATH the pine-trees’ gentle sigh, 
Where the chainless breeze blows o’er, 
Carry me and let me lie. 

When all is done. 


By some mountain river’s wave. 
On some wild and wooded shore. 
Dig for me the hidden grave. 
When all is done. 


O’er me raise no speechless stone. 
Place instead a lily there, 

(’T was the flow’r I called my own) 
When all is done. 

Then, beneath the pines above. 
Waving in the scented air. 

Leave me to the woods I love. 

When all is done. 


56 



TRANSLATIONS 


Poems of Touth 


LIFE 

(From Homer’s Iliad, Book VI, lines 146-149) 
g ^^IIKE the life of the leaves 
I OH Is ours; 
g-T^I For the gust of the wind 
Down-pours, 

And they are no more, but anon 
The spring bears fresh foliage upon 
The bough; — 

E’en so the life of man 
Fades now. 

Now flowers. 


59 



Poems of Touth 


NIGHT 

(From Vergil’s ^neid. Book IV, lines 522-528) 

OISING aloft in the sky, on her 
pinions of star-studded sable, 

Night hangs. ^Neath on the earth 
men sleep. The watery billows 

Slumber. Mountains, rivers and hills, en- 
shrouded in silence. 

Lie in the deepest repose. The tiny stars 
in the heavens 

Traverse their endless course, like angels in 
silent procession. 

All in stillness is wrapt. The sheep, and the 
birds of the forest. 

Freed from the chain of care, are sleeping the 
sleep of the peaceful. 

Toils of the past are forgotten, forgotten the 
cares of the morrow. 



60 


Poems oj Touth 


FREEDOM FROM ANXIETY 

(From the Greek of Anacreon, B. C. 540) 

HY in fashion’s customs train me? 
Why with fogies’ folly pain me ? 
Or why vex me with such word 
As no meaning ever heard ? 

Rather teach me how to quaff 
Golden wine, or how to laugh! 

Rather teach me how to sport 
With gay Aphrodite’s sort, 

E’er the years, to old age wed. 

Crown with white my hoary head! 

So bring water and bring wine, 

To refresh this soul of mine; 

For since life is all too brief. 

Why damn what there is with grief ? 



61 



Poems of Youth 


EI2 TO AEIN niNEIN 

(From the Greek of Anacreon, B. C. 540) 

HE bounteous earth drinks of the 
rain; 

The trees in turn drink of the earth; 
From mountain torrents drink the main, 
From their cool waves to keep from 
dearth. 

The thirsty sun drinks of the sea, 

And from the sun the moon life drew; — 
Why, then, my comrades, chasten me. 

If I will drink my portion, too ? 



62 



Poems of Youth 


EVEN-SONG 

{From the German oj Goethe) 

the mountain ranges 
Rest steals; 

In the silent branches 
One feels 

Scarce a breath sigh through. 

E’en the tired birds smother 
Their soft notes : — my brother, 
Wait; you shall rest, too. 


63 



Poems of Youth 



ANACREON ON HIMSELF 
{From the Greek oj Anacreon, B. C. 540) 

INCE to me it fell by lot 
To this life to be begot, 

Well I know the road IVe sped, 
But of that which lies ahead. 

Ah, I know not. But let care 
Fly away and have no share 
In my heart. Till death rules there. 
Let me dance and let me laugh. 
Jeering care as wine I quaff! 


64 



Poems of Youth 


THE MARK OF LOVERS 
{From the Greek oj Anacreon, B. C. 540) 

ORSES by the marks they show 
On their flanks, we always know; 
And a Parthian anywhere 
By the dressing of his hair. 

So my eye can tell with ease 
Any lover that it sees, 

For a mark of beauty rare 
Far within their heart they bear. 



65 



Poems of Youth 


THE ERL-KING 
{From the German oj Goethe) 

HO rides there so late through the 
storm dark and wild ? 

It is the fond father with his little 
child. 

Close wrapt in his arms, see! he holds the 
child warm, 

Oh closer, oh closer, to shield him from 
harm. 



‘‘My child, why in fear do you hide in my 
cloak?”. 

“Oh father, the erl-kingl” he shuddered 
and spoke; — 

“The erl-king with crown and with terrible 
mien! 

O look! can’t you see him?” “My son, 
’t is a dream!” 

“Come, dear little boy! Oh come hither 
to me! 

I ’ve playthings and nurs’ries and candies 
for thee! 

The flow’rs are a-blooming in my happy 
land; 

My golden-rob’d mother will bless with 
fond hand!” 


66 



Poems of Youth 


“O father! O father! Oh canst thou not 
hear 

The words which the erl-king is whispering 
near?” 

“O peace, peace, my son! ’T is a dream 
that thou fear’st; 

The wind swirls the trees, — ^t is but this that 
thou hear’ St !” 

“My child, wilt thou come and have 
pleasure with me ? 

My beautiful daughters shall wait upon thee. 

My daughters shall dance every night to 
your joy. 

And shall play and shall sing for your pleas- 
ure, sweet boy!” 

“ O father! my father! Oh can you not see ? 

The erl-king’s fair daughters are calling to 
me!” 

“ My boy ! O my boy ! I can see it all clear ; — 

Yon gray willows waving; ’t is this; have no 
fear! 

“I love you, sweet boy! So come, leap on my 
horse. 

Lest, if you refuse, I shall have to use force.” 

“ O father! my father! he seizes my arm! 

O father! the erl-king has done me great 
harm!” 


67 


Poems of Youth 


A shudder of fear made the bosom grow cold 

As it held the young child in its fatherly 
fold; " 

The father rode home with this terror and 
dread, 

And he gasped, for the boy on his bosom — 
was dead. 


68 


Poems of Touth 



THE PARTING OF HECTOR AND 
ANDROMACHE 

{From Homer's Iliad, Book VI, lines 466-406) 

njMILING, great Hector outstretched 
"1 his fond arms to his child to embrace 
I him, 

But to his mother’s dear bosom, the boy, with 
a cry of wild terror. 

Fled, at the sight of the sword and the bright- 
blazing bronze of the helmet. 

Seeing the crest and the plume of the nodding 
black horse-hair upon it. 

Mother and father then laughed, with the 
love-laden laugh of fond parents. 
Then from his plume-crested head his bright 
helmet of bronze took great Hector; 
Laying it down on the ground, in the glare 
of the sunlight resplendent. 

Into his arms he received and oft kissed his 
dear child, gladly laughing. 

Tossing him into the air, with the pride and 
the joy of the father. 

Then to th’ immortal gods, and to Zeus, the 
great king of immortals. 

Prayed the great Hector and spake, with his 
eyes upturned toward the heavens. 


69 


Poems of Youth 


“Zeus, and ye other great gods, oh now 
grant that this child, like his father. 
Noble among his great comrades, may e’er 
be the pride of the Trojans! 

Ay, and may many men say, who may meet 
him from battle returning, 

* This is a warrior braver and nobler in strife 
than his father.’ 

Oft from the war may he carry the blood- 
spattered spoils of the battle. 

Stripped from the enemy slain, to the joy 
and the pride of the mother!” 

Thus the great hero spoke, and into the arms 
of the mother 

Placed his dear child, and then she, with a 
smile on the cheek of her sorrow. 

Into her bosom received him, and covered 
the boy with caresses. 

Well did the great Hector know the deep 
grief that her words could not tell him. 
Softly and kindly he spoke, and with loving 
hand gently caressed her : 

“Dear, do not grieve for me so, for unless 
’t is the will of high Heaven, 

No man to Hades shall send me, and be it 
the will of high Heaven, 

Truly I say that no man, whether coward 
or hero, has ever, 

70 


Poems of Youth 


Since our great world took its form, and the 
hills were established in order, 
^Scaped the dark hand of destruction. But 
go now, my dear, quickly homeward. 
Tend to the cares which are thine, and now 
manage the cares of the household. 
Whirling your loom and your spindle, and 
urge to their labor your servants; 
Mine shall be care for the war, and of all 
other men of wide Ilium.” 

Thus the great Hector spoke, and he donned 
once again his bright helmet. 

Starting again for the fray ; and his wife went 
back, burdened with sorrow. 

Oft turning ’round in her grief, through her 
tears yet once more to behold him. 


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